West Ham United and Newcastle want to seal Asmir Begovic transfer now
West Ham are facing a battle to sign QPR’s Asmir Begovic this summer, with his current contract ticking down, according to West London Sport.
The online source reported [1 June] that the Hammers are set to face competition from Newcastle United to sign the 36-year-old as a back-up goalkeeper, with Saudi Arabian clubs also interested.
It is understood that QPR have opened talks with Begovic over a new contract at Loftus Road, having joined as a free transfer on a one-year deal last summer.
West Ham United target Asmir Begovic as back-up goalkeeper
With plenty of Premier League experience across spells with Everton, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Stoke City, Begovic is the right kind of target as a third-choice ‘keeper.
Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski have both had their key roles in recent seasons, with the former recently becoming the first-choice at the London Stadium and the latter turning into a “cup ‘keeper”.
There have been no signs to suggest that either shot-stopper is departing the club this summer, which would likely see Begovic become the third-choice under Julen Lopetegui, although Sheffield United stopper Wes Foderingham has also been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium (Dharmesh Sheth, 29 May).
Multiple changes are expected as the Spaniard takes over from David Moyes, and the goalkeeping position is likely to be the first of many this summer.
Despite his age, though younger than Fabianski, the former Stoke man experienced a decent season personally, keeping 13 clean sheets for a Championship side that narrowly escaped relegation in the final few weeks.
While the Hammers have no European football next season to draw the veteran goalkeeper to the London Stadium, he certainly has enough talent to still be a Premier League player and would add a lot of wisdom to the dressing room.
If Begovic were to turn down a new deal at Loftus Road, it would allow West Ham to make a new addition on a free transfer, which would certainly be welcomed by the hierarchy at the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged on the club’s pursuit to sign a striker who scored 33 goals in 2023/24.
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